10 Contemplative Days in the Lord's PrayerSample

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, as we also have forgiven those who sin against us. Help us not to give into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, now and forever. Amen

Your Father in heaven is our Father in heaven. As you start today what could feel like a ten-day personal journey into a deeper prayer life between you and Jesus, you’re supposed to feel this reminder that you're not alone and it’s not all about you. Where he’s going with you personally has just as much to do with the people around you. Let Jesus guide you in your personal prayers today with the plural “our” emphasis he intended as your first word in the conversation.

Pray for Our Church. Ask God to help you notice what your church collectively has meant to you personally over your time there this far. Then, turn that into a prayer for what you hope God will do next, or who you hope he grows at your church and other churches.

Pray for Our Circles in Our City. Each person in your city has their own unique name and need for Jesus. God has placed a certain number of those people in your life for a reason. Take a quiet moment for God to bring the names and faces to your mind. First, let God help you notice something about them, and then make an “Our Father . . .” prayer for them.

Pray for Our Family. All of us have a family we were born into, adopted into, married into, etc. No one holds our heart more than these do. That can bring great comfort as well as heartache. You were probably already carrying something on your heart for them today before you started praying. Notice what’s been on your heart for family, and then turn it into an “Our Father . . .” prayer for them.